Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Design # 2: Noli Me Tangere Garden

Rizal Park otherwise known as Luneta is one of the largest urban parks
in the Philippines, located at the northern end of Roxas Boulevard, overlooking
Manila bay. This famous destination spot was once a major attraction for the
people of the city of Manila. Being one of the largest urban park in Asia, it
has been a favorite leisure spot, and is frequented on Sundays and national
holidays.

Historically, the execution of national hero Jose Rizal on December 30,
1886, fanned the flames of the 1886 Philippine Revolution against the Kingdom
of Spain. The site was officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor, and the
monument enshrining his remains serves as the park’s symbolic focal point.

Image 1: Rizal Park (General Site View)

Noli Me Tangere Garden

Noli Me Tangere Garden is located within the fifty-eight hectare
property of Rizal Park. The total land area of the site is approximately 14,230
square meters. It is a corner lot bounded by the following areas: Rizal Monument
in the North, Visitors Center in the East, T.M. Kalaw Street in the South, and Roxas
Boulevard in the West. The site is a densely shaded area wherein it features
the Heidelberg fountain and the bust of Ferdinand Blumentritt, both symbolizes
the Filipino-German friendship.

Image 2: Noli Me Tangere Garden (Site View)

History

Rizal finished his novel "Noli Me Tangere" on December 1886. At first, it was hard to
pursue the publication of the novel due to financial constraints. Maximo Viola,
however, lent P300 for the publication of 2000 copies of the novel. Rizal, himself,
describing the nature of the Noli Me Tangere to his friend Blumentritt, wrote,
“The Novel is the first impartial and bold account of the life of the
tagalongs. The Filipinos will find in it the history of the last ten years…”

Image 3: Noli Me Tangere (Novel)

Site Inventory Analysis

Image 4: Rizal Park (Site Inventory)

Image 5: Noli Me Tangere Garden (Site Inventory)

Image 6: Noli Me Tangere Garden (Site Inventory)

Image 7: Proximity Matrix

Image 8: Bubble Diagram

Image 9: Circulation

Image 10: SWOT Analysis

Design Concept: Noli Me Tangere Garden

Emphasizing the idea of cultural landscape, the proposed garden shall
provide scenic, economic, ecological, social, recreational and educational
prospects for the public. The vision of the design was to establish such
historical intervention to the public. Thus, the re-designing aims to honor the
significant places, people, and elements in the publication of the well-known
novel Noli Me Tangere, and represent Rizal’s association to Europe. The design
develops further with the integration of European inspired garden (Spanish and
German Style Garden) and accommodation of the portion of Berlin Wall given by
the German Government. In terms of functionality, the design can suit the need
of shaded sitting areas. The design also supplemented with event area, making
it an ideal venue for recreational and public event activities.